THE BLACKSTONE BALLOT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13875, 12 April 1907, Page 6

THE BLACKSTONE BALLOT.

Sir,—lt must bo obvious that a ballot that affects the interests of so many people should be conducted in such a mannor as to place its fairness beyond tho reach of suspicion. At Naseby this morning there were a great many dissatisfied applicants, and though, of course, it is impossible to please everybody, still, it seems to 1110 that there is a. great deal to be said for these grumblers. ■ First, the scrutineer who puts tho balls into the box should not be the person to draw them out. Care should be taken also that the scrutineer is a person of good average bearing. Socond, the box should be very vigorously shaken, as merely revolving it does not scatter the balls sufficiently. Third, the regulations distinctly state that the deposit money must be forwarded with the application, or the applicant must be present himself or represented by an agent. "Should neither the applicant nor a " agent be present to make the necessary payments, another ballot will bo drawn HIHKUUTKLV for the right to select." This was not done in the ease of Run 22.4 D. It would also be advisable that the agent should have a written authority to act. It would also conduce to tho fairness 01 the ballot if all applicants were examined by tho Land Board. It is not uncommon for six or seven members of a famiiv to send in applications, and many of these are utterly incompetent to take charge of a run, but are merely acting as dummies lor their brothers or fathers. It certainly seems unfair that a man with a family should have half a dozen chances of drawmg a scction, while there arc 'scores of young men who have only ono each —i am, etc., Duncdin, April 11. SrKCTATOB.